Stadium At Temple Still Doesn't Have Mayor-elect Kenney's OK
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The subject was an on-campus stadium for Temple University but Philadelphia mayor-elect Jim Kenney had some choice words for the Eagles, Friday. He also says he continues to oppose the stadium, after meeting with University officials Thursday.
Kenney's opposition to the stadium centers on two things: the impact on the University's North Philadelphia neighbors and the Eagles high rent demands for the Linc, where Temple now plays.
"The Eagles are frustrating. They're not the same kind of community-committed (team) as the Phillies, or Flyers or Sixers," said Kenney.
Kenney says he met with the Eagles president, arguing the publicly subsidized Linc has increased the team's value tenfold, but got nowhere.
"It's a private entity. There's nothing I can do to force them to do the right thing," said Kenney.
Not so, Temple University. It will need City Council approval to vacate 15th Street and Council President Darrell Clarke is the district councilman.
"He's not going to do it until he's happy."
Kenney says Temple will have to work with its neighbors, and overcome their opposition, before he and Clarke support a stadium on campus.